Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba could make a return to playing professional
football, according to Fifa's medical chief, Jiri Dvorak.

Muamba's heart stopped beating naturally for 78 minutes after he suffered a cardiac arrest during Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham on March 17.

Muamba, 24, was fit enough to walk out of hospital just one month after the ordeal.

It is still uncertain whether he will be able to play again, but Jiri Dvorak, FIFA's medical chief, said the likely underlying cause of Muamba's heart attack - a condition called arrhythmia - could be controlled and possibly allow him to return to the game.

He highlighted the example of Craig Hulse, an American player who has played more than 100 games since suffering a cardiac arrest three years ago and who came to FIFA's medical conference in Budapest to speak of his experience.

Dvorak said: "I think this is something which the cardiologist has to decide but if the underlying reason is arrhythmia - which it probably is - then theoretically it's possible.